Deploying & Troubleshooting Your System

Power systems mounted on pipe stands and systems with pedestal bases can be permanently mounted to concrete pads or deck grating. Identify the correct southerly orientation before beginning the installation of solar power systems.

Skid-mounted systems should be set on a pre-leveled area with solar panels facing due south.

Orientation: The orientation of solar panels is critical to the system's performance. Position the solar panel assembly so the panels face DUE SOUTH. If in doubt, use a compass.

Shading: The solar panels MUST NOT be shaded by obstructions such as trees, bushes, buildings, fences, or other structures. Check for shadows cast by antennas, towers, poles, and other solar arrays. The sun's position changes seasonally, so check for unforeseen shading. Set solar systems in a wide clearing, away from vegetation, for best operation. Even small amounts of shading can significantly reduce power efficiency.

Panel Tilt: Generally, the panel's tilt angle should be set for the location's latitude plus 15 degrees. Solarcraft array frames are preconfigured for 45° and 60° for most USA locations. Some larger systems are built with a specified tilt angle for a particular location.

Identifying the Panel Connections: For Kyocera and BP solar panels with junction boxes, the white wire is positive, and the black wire is negative.

Deploying the Array: Enclosure-mounted array frames are typically shipped with the frame folded down. Set up the array by loosening the bolts on the array supports and extending them. Retighten the bolts securely. 

Most Solarcraft power systems are shipped with batteries installed and fully charged. Batteries are operational when the charge levels measured at the battery breaker are in the range shown below.

Upon initial start-up, the Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) of a UPS system may be activated until the system is connected to line power.

Storing Systems: Solar Power Systems can be stored outside with the solar and battery breakers on and the load breakers off so the batteries remain charged.

UPS Systems can be stored with proper AC voltage connected to the AC input, and the battery breaker can be set to ON to maintain charge levels.

If the systems are stored without a power source connection, ensure the battery breakers are switched off. The batteries should be checked every few weeks to monitor the charge levels.

For a 12V system, do not allow the charge levels to drop below 12.2V; for a 24V system, do not allow the charge levels to drop below 24.4V; 48V, not below 48.8V.

Battery Wiring: On all systems, the red wire is positive, and the black wire is negative. On 24V and higher systems, a 10-gauge white wire is sometimes used as the interconnection on the batteries to make the series connection. A black 8- or 6-gauge wire is used to interconnect larger systems.

Solarcraft DC-UPS systems have a built-in circuit breaker on both the Input and Output, with load breaker size listed on the label.

Safe Battery Handling and Storage:

• Do not wear rings or jewelry when handling batteries.
• Do not handle near heat, sparks, or open flames.
• If the battery case is broken, avoid contact with internal components.
• Protect battery cases from physical damage to prevent leaks and spills.
• Do not allow conductive material to touch the battery terminals. A dangerous short-circuit may occur and cause fire and battery failure.
• Keep water, combustible materials, organic chemicals, reducing substances, metals, and strong oxidizers away from batteries.
• Gel-type sealed lead acid batteries used in most Solarcraft systems require no water or maintenance. Do not attempt to add water or break the battery seal.
• Inspect the batteries every six months. If corrosion accumulates at the battery terminal, shut down the system to clean it.

Battery Maintenance:

Gel-type sealed lead-acid batteries do not require water. Do not open battery cases to add water. Keep battery terminals free of corrosion accumulations. Do not attempt to clean the terminals when the system is operational. Turn off all breakers and remove all fuses. Remove corrosion with a stainless-steel wire brush, avoiding contact with the skin.

After cleaning the cable lugs and terminals, replace and tighten the bolts, wait 30 minutes, then retighten. Always use split ring lock washers on the battery terminals to retain terminal pressure even if the battery post yields. After completing all the battery connections, you may coat the terminals with anti-corrosion spray or paste.

Ensure that the circuit breakers are turned to the "off" position. Using a voltmeter, place the red lead on the positive connection of the first battery you are testing and the black lead on the battery's negative terminal.

Voltmeter readings should fall in these ranges:

If battery readings fall below this range, recharge the batteries to resume normal operation.

Ensure that the circuit breakers are turned to the "off" position. Using a voltmeter, place the red lead on the positive connection of the first battery in the series and put the black lead on the negative terminal of the last battery in the series.

Voltmeter readings should fall in these ranges:

If battery readings are below this range, recharge the batteries to resume regular operation.

Ensure that the Solar and Battery circuit breakers are turned to the "off" position. Using a voltmeter, place the red lead on the positive connection and the black lead on the negative terminal connection, as shown in the picture below.

Depending on the sunlight level, the voltmeter should read approximately 26-27 Volts.

Ensure that the circuit breakers are turned to the "off" position. Using a voltmeter, test the solar array by placing the red lead on the positive connection and the black lead on the negative terminal, as shown in the picture below.

Depending on the sunlight level, the voltmeter should read between 38-44 V.

If the system does not operate correctly after completing these checks, call us at 877.340.1224 and ask for Technical Support. We will be happy to assist you in getting your system operating as quickly as possible.